When Padayappa hit theatres in 1999, Tamil cinema had never seen anything like it. The Rajinikanth, Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya blockbuster didn’t just break records, it became a milestone. From her arrogant attitude to her commanding presence, Neelambari, brought to life by Ramya Krishnan, remains a powerful figure in film history.
Now, 25 years later, as the film returns to theatres, Rajinikanth has dropped a revelation that has fans buzzing: he has officially confirmed that Padayappa 2 is in the works.
In a 37-minute reflection video, the Superstar looked back at the madness surrounding the film’s release. He recalled with amusement and a bit of awe, how women broke theatre gates just to get inside. “In my 50-year career, I had never seen anything like that,” he said, still sounding amazed decades later.
Then came the moment fans never expected: Rajinikanth revealed that he’s actively developing the sequel, titled Neelambari: Padayappa 2. According to him, if the story evolves the way they hope, the sequel will once again revolve around a character of Neelambari’s strong, complex, and electrifying.
The Superstar also opened up about the origins of the original film. He shared how Padayappa was born from his fascination with Ponniyin Selvan’s Nandini. He had suggested the title himself, even though director KS Ravikumar was initially hesitant. “But I urged him to go ahead,” Rajinikanth said with a smile.
He also revealed a lesser-known secret: the first choice for Neelambari was Aishwarya Rai. The team believed her presence could carry the intensity the role demanded. But when she wasn’t keen, it was Ravikumar who proposed Ramya Krishnan, leading to what would become one of the most iconic casting decisions in Tamil cinema.
Rajinikanth also explained why Padayappa never went to OTT or satellite platforms. He allowed only Sun Pictures to screen it because, to him, the film belongs to the big screen. “It’s meant to be watched in theatres,” he said. Which is why its re-release on December 12, his birthday, feels especially fitting.
As discussions for Padayappa 2 continue, excitement is already building. Will Neelambari’s legacy be reborn? What kind of story could live up to the original? Rajinikanth hasn’t given answers yet, but the curiosity is already sky-high.
Sourfce / Image Credit : The Hindu
